GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A shift in district lines that Grand Rapids Rep. Roy Schmidt represents may have skewed the demographics, but it would not have prevented the now former Democrat would from returning to the state House, Speaker Jase Bolger said today.

That’s why Schmidt’s departure from the only political party he had allegiance to for the Republican camp should stand on its own, Bolger said. Schmidt in a last-minute election filing maneuver, withdrew his Democratic submission and entered the race for the 76th District as a Republican.

“We would not have beaten Roy Schmidt. He was going to win,” Bolger said. “This was not done out of political expediency or convenience. He was disenfranchised by the politics of the Democratic party.

“He was feeling a lot of political pressure to conform and he didn’t have the freedom to advocate for the people he represents.”

Bolger said he spoke or met with Schmidt about a dozen times over the last two weeks to talk about coming into the Republican fold. Bolger had heard Schmidt was unhappy and the Republican leader initiated the contact, he said.

Schmidt was promised nothing in return for making the switch, Bolger said.

“He was promised the ability to stand up for the people of Grand Rapids and work for the issues he believes in,” Bolger said. “He didn’t ask for anything. There were no commitments made.”

Schmidt has not spoken publicly about his decision, but issued a statement Tuesday that said his alliance change would not affect his outlook and intent.

“Serving as a state representative isn’t about a party, it isn’t about politics - it’s about doing what is best for Grand Rapids,” Schmidt said in the statement. “After careful consideration, I have decided to run for re-election to the Michigan House of Representatives as a Republican.

“I believe I was sent to Lansing to serve the people of Grand Rapids, not political bosses. The simple truth is, extreme Democrat party bosses like Mark Brewer are unwilling to listen to ideas or accept my positions on issues that matter to me and Grand Rapids.”

Brewer denied holding Schmidt back on any matters and said the two never had a cross word with each other. The switch drew harsh criticism from Brewer and colleagues who said the West Side resident had betrayed his district.

Bolger said Schmidt signed an affidavit for filing purposes to run as a Republican in early May. Bolger held on to the document to give Schmidt time to think over the switch.

The two met Monday and Schmidt confirmed that he would join the GOP caucus, Bolger said.

“Every conversation came back to the people of Grand Rapids,” Bolger said. “He saw that we respected differences of opinion and respected when members had to stand up and disagree. He decided he wanted to be a part of that.”